CHAPTER 109: CHAPTER 109: WHO ELSE DRANK WITH HIM?

When Lu Xiao heard her name, and the name "traitor," there was not a trace of disappointment or remembrance on her beautiful face, just a slight pressing of her cherry-red lips, revealing a charming smile.

She cast a coy glance at Wang Shaoji and said gently, "If Young Master Yu Wen will not accept me, I can only beg General Wang for mercy, to grant me a place for shelter."

Wang Shaoji said, "Wouldn’t that wrong you?"

Lu Xiao immediately replied, "How could it be wrong for me? As a broken willow, to receive the General’s pity is a blessing for three lifetimes."

Wang Shaoji immediately burst into laughter.

At this moment, Shang Ruyi also understood why Wang Shaoji let Lu Xiao deliver the Divine Arm Bow.

Previously, he had spent a fortune for this beauty but failed to succeed, bearing a grudge ever since. This time, making her deliver the Divine Arm Bow and then giving her to Yu Wenye was obviously to humiliate Lu Xiao.

And he knew that Yu Wenye could not possibly accept Lu Xiao.

Regardless of Wang Shaoji’s purpose in sending her to the Yuwen Family, just the identity of Lu Xiao as a sinner’s daughter would deter anyone from easily keeping her by their side.

Evidently, his objective was achieved.

Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi’s loathing for him grew deeper.

Yu Wenye coldly watched them, his eyes unmoved, as if merely watching a play. Only then did he speak blandly, "General Wang is indeed a master of schemes."

Hearing this, Wang Shaoji’s face darkened again.

Even though he had achieved his goal of dishonoring Lu Xiao, the prized Divine Arm Bow was still to be delivered to the Yuwen Family for nothing.

He then sneered and said, "Lu Xiao, aren’t you going to quickly bring out the Divine Arm Bow?"

Lu Xiao then placed the box on the table beside her, opened the lid, and carefully took out a massive longbow with both hands.

The longbow was almost as tall as a petite woman, its body made of crimson Ten Thousand Years Wood, nearly as thick as a human arm, carved with a coiling dragon that extended from head to tail, ready to soar into the clouds; the dragon’s mouth held a transparent long tendon drawn to the bow’s tail, even sitting still, it exuded an aura of impending assault.

This was the Divine Arm Bow!

Even if one’s archery was ordinary, Shang Ruyi could see that this was indeed a priceless artifact!

Yu Wenye’s eyes also lit up at the sight of the Divine Arm Bow.

Wang Shaoji’s face was grim as he said coldly, "Hand the item over to Young Master Yu Wen."

Lu Xiao gracefully approached, holding the longbow in both hands.

Just as she was about to reach Yu Wenye, someone suddenly stepped in front of her.

It was Shang Ruyi.

With an indifferent expression, she took the heavy longbow from Lu Xiao and said, "General Wang is truly a man of his word. However, since the Divine Arm Bow is something I ’won,’ it should be received by me."

"..."

Hearing her words, Wang Shaoji was livid.

He had deliberately had a disgraced dancing girl deliver the Divine Arm Bow to humiliate Yu Wenye and vent his anger, but he had not expected the Young Madam Yu Wen to intervene so relentlessly, taking the item herself and claiming it was ’won’ by her, disregarding his offense and highlighting her victory over the Black Armor Army, openly challenging his dignity.

Wang Shaoji displayed a hideous grin and suddenly sneered, "The Young Madam really possesses heroic courage, deserving of the title of a heroine."

Shang Ruyi said, "I do not dare."

Wang Shaoji darkly chuckled, "Speaking of which, I only recently learned that the Young Madam is nobly born, being the daughter of General Shang."

"..."

"I also heard a few days ago that your elder brother spent a hundred thousand silver in Daxing City buying an official position, only to be deceived. Does the Young Madam know about this?"

Shang Ruyi’s expression also darkened.

Wang Shaoji was not referring to anyone else but her half-brother, who had turned cold-hearted and expelled her from the house, almost leaving her homeless after their father’s death, Shang Shoufei.

The Shang Family resided in Western Capital Daxing City, but since being expelled and adopted by her uncle, she had distanced herself from their affairs and cared little for her brother’s imprudent behavior, never expecting Wang Shaoji to use his shameful actions to humiliate her.

Shang Ruyi’s face turned cold as she calmly said, "I am not aware of it."

"Not aware? But that is still your elder brother."

"Though he is my brother, I am already married, following my husband in marriage, thus family matters concern me no longer."

"I see..."

At this, a sinister smile appeared on Wang Shaoji’s face as he said, "Then it seems your uncle’s family is also unrelated to you, Young Madam."

"...!?"

Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.

Why did Wang Shaoji mention her uncle Shen Shiyan at this moment? Could something have happened to the Shen Family?

Yu Wenye, who had stood coldly by all this while, now furrowed his brows and asked, "What does General Wang mean by this?"

Wang Shaoji sneered, "Oh, it’s nothing significant, just heard something upon returning to Luoyang today — yesterday at morning court, the Left Director of the Imperial Secretariat, Pei Xu, implored the Emperor to cease campaigns against Liaodong. The Emperor was enraged, accused him of spreading dangerous ideas and undermining the army’s morale, stripped him of his position, and exiled him to Lingnan."

"...!"

Upon hearing this news, both Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi were taken aback.

Pei Xu has been dismissed and exiled, but what of Pei Xingyuan?

Seemingly aware of their concern, Wang Shaoji sneered, "His entire household, implicated, will also be exiled to Lingnan."

Shang Ruyi’s heart sank to the depths.

Unexpectedly, just a few nights ago they had been drinking and laughing together, and now, in less than two days, the optimistic and jovial young master Pei Xingyuan had met such a fate.

As she lamented, an uneasy feeling crept into her heart.

Why did Wang Shaoji suddenly bring up this matter?

She sharply sensed an ominous vibe and turned to Wang Shaoji, whose face was somber as he sneered, "Oh, there’s more to it."

Shang Ruyi opened her mouth to speak, but her voice was hoarse.

Yu Wenye, steady as ever, said, "What else is there, tell us."

Wang Shaoji sneered, "The Emperor is thoroughly investigating the incident, concluding that Pei Xu could not have acted alone in such rebellion. It turns out, the night before his court plea, Pei Xu hosted a gathering with several people, probably conspiring those disloyal words."

"..."

"Thus, the Emperor has decided to investigate those individuals too, charging them as well."

At this moment, Shang Ruyi could hardly breathe.

She croaked, "Who else was drinking with him?"

"Grand Doctor Mr. Wen, Upper Cavalry Captain Jia Ying, General Mingwei,"

Enumerating several official titles, Wang Shaoji lastly turned to Shang Ruyi with a sinister grin and calmly said, "And it includes — Minister of Rites Shen Shiyan, Mr. Shen."